Every NBA team’s greatest playoff moment

Toronto Raptors: Arriving (2016 Eastern Conference Finals)

Unfortunately for The North, as they like to call themselves, playoff shortcomings have been more numerous than triumphs for the Toronto Raptors. Coming into the 2016 postseason, the Raptors had only been out of the First Round once in franchise history. That included instances like Vince Carter essentially quitting on the team, being upset on a few occasions in Round 1 and a slew of other forgettable moments.

With Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan leading the way, though, the Raptors seemed to put it all together in the 2015-16 campaign. After winning 56 games in the regular season, it was all about proving themselves in the playoffs. They were able to do that and more with their best playoff showing in team history, by far.

Admittedly, Toronto made it hard on themselves throughout the first round against the Indiana Pacers. Yet, they pulled out the win in Game 7 in Toronto to advance. They needed seven games against Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals as well, but still moved on to the East Finals for the first time ever.

Even had they been swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Conference Finals, this likely would’ve been the best playoff moment in Raptors history. However, they also were able to push the eventual champs to six games in a highly competitive series. Now it’s all about maintaining that success moving forward for this franchise as they have only a few more hills to climb.